He added: "I never thought it would happen, even when I spoke to you after the first episode, it’s brilliant.

"Just to look at the category, the other actors; Andrew Scott is a guy that went to the same drama school as me since I was a kid with Ann Kavanagh.

"I remember looking up to him playing the parts that were four or five years older than me.

"And Allen Leach and Chris O’Dowd, it’s brilliant to be even thought of in that category with such brilliant actors, so I’m absolutely stoked."

The actor is in good company as Love/Hate received a total of 11 IFTA nominations including Best Actor nods for Robert Sheehan (Darren) and Tom Vaughan Lawlor (Nidge), a Best Actress nomination Charlie Murphy and Best Supporting actress nod for Susan Loughnane.

Love/Hate was almost nominated for Best Drama, Director TV Drama for David Caffrey and Script Drama for Stuart Carolyn.